Bolton is an amazing area to live in, boasting close ties to bustling central Manchester, but also the neighbouring West Pennine Moors. With glorious architecture and a prosperous local economy, Bolton is a great place to both visit and live.
Unfortunately, what attracts people can also drive vermin. Issues such as older buildings with holes that act as readymade entry points, easy access to food sources such as unsecured bins, as well as the town’s close proximity to both a large city and several rivers, means there are many pests that call the area home.
These vermin can be highly destructive, causing issues such as the spread of disease, property damage and distress.
Anyone living in Bolton needs to be vigilant to identify and eradicate common pests found in the area, but it can be difficult to know what you’re dealing with, and the signs of a pest infestation.
Thankfully, Verus Environmental are experienced providers of domestic and commercial pest control services across Bolton, Blackburn, Walkden, Horwich, Worsley, Coppull, Chorley, Atherton and Greater Manchester.
Being locals ourselves, we understand the challenges faced by Bolton home and business owners, and have put together this guide to some of the most common pests found across the area.
Common Pests Found Across Bolton
While Bolton homes and commercial properties are prone to all vermin found in the UK, the region’s property types and colder weather than more Southern towns mean there are certain pests found more often than others. Some of the species most commonly found in Bolton are listed below.
Rats
One of the most common pests found in Bolton, particularly during the autumn and winter months, is rats. Brown rats are the most common species, but black rats are often found near the local bodies of water, including the River Croal or the River Tonge. Both species can be highly destructive, and even cause a potential fire hazard if they chew through live wires. If you hear noises in your loft space, this could be either rats or squirrels. Rats often live in sewers, which is why we offer Bolton homeowners CCTV drain surveys to check for rat entry points.
Mice
Another common rodent pest in Bolton is mice, which cause similar issues to rats but are slightly smaller and braver. Mice spread diseases and can cause significant property damage, as like all rodents they have front teeth that never stop growing and chew almost anything to keep them from becoming too long. While many mice species, especially common house mice, look similar to rats, they have large ears that are out of proportion with their heads and are significantly smaller than rats. If you’re unsure what rodent species is present in your Bolton home or commercial premises, Verus Environmental can help identify and remove it.
Ants
While ants might not be as much of a health hazard as other insects, these nuisance pests can still contaminate food, as they are drawn to sweet foods and sugary drinks, which they will then climb on to take bits of, leaving behind bacteria and germs. Also, some ant species, such as red ants, can bite and sting humans, leaving behind painful welts. In the summer, sexually mature male and female black ants grow wings and become flying ants, which is why Verus Environmental often gets a lot of ant control call-outs across Bolton between June and August.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are another common insect pest found in Bolton and the surrounding area. There are several cockroach species found in the UK, the most common being Oriental cockroaches and German cockroaches. Both species have wings but don’t fly, and mostly crawl. They prefer damp, moist areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, and are commonly found in restaurants and other commercial food preparation areas. Cockroaches can contaminate food and cause severe distress. Many think that cockroaches could survive a nuclear apocalypse, being such hardy insects, which is why professional cockroach control from Verus Environmental is crucial for Bolton homes and businesses.
Moths
Many people notice moths flying around Bolton and Greater Manchester, and many of the species found in the area aren’t pests at all, and won’t cause issues for humans. However, several species, including common clothes moths, also known as carpet moths, case-bearing clothes moths, and Indian meal moths, also known as pantry moths, are all pests. These moths eat either natural fibres, such as wool and silk, or dried food products.
Wasps
A common pest during the summer months, wasps are usually only an issue when they build nests on your property. Wasp stings can be very painful and cause an allergic reaction in some people, so if you find a wasp nest in garden buildings, chimneys, wall cavities and other tight spaces, then you need to be proactive. Verus Environmental has the protective equipment and wasp control skills to safely remove wasp nests and the entire colony, ensuring the safety of your family and property.
Bed Bugs
A deeply stressful pest to encounter, bed bugs have been known to cause sleep deprivation, severe distress and even symptoms similar to PTSD. Bed bugs are minuscule, usually about the size of an apple seed, so it can be difficult to see them, but you’ll soon notice their presence when you get itchy bites. Bed bugs can be an issue all year round, and can spread through contact with infested items such as public transport seats or hotel beds. Bed bugs are usually found in large numbers, as they lay eggs and breed quickly, which is why you need to be proactive and book professional bed bug removal from Verus Environmental as soon as you see signs of bed bugs in your home.
Fleas
Bolton is home to hundreds of thousands of pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and more. While these pets are beloved by their owners, they can become host animals for parasites such as fleas, spreading them across your home and to businesses throughout the town, such as vet practices and grooming parlours. Fleas feed on blood, and will eat both human and animal blood, meaning what starts as an issue for your pet can soon become a problem for the whole family. Even households in Bolton that don’t have pets can get fleas if they come into contact with infested wildlife or even bring in secondhand furniture that has fleas. DIY flea control is often ineffective, which is why Verus Environmental regularly gets call-outs for flea treatments across Bolton.
Pigeons
Bolton has a large pigeon population, due in part to local pigeon fanciers breeding and racing pigeons. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of feral pigeons throughout Bolton, which often scavenge for food and leave behind droppings that spread diseases. If these droppings, also known as guano, dry on the outside of commercial buildings, they can spread through air vents and cause significant public health issues, as well as being a trip risk when wet. Also, as solar panel installations increase across Bolton and the UK, many homeowners may find that pigeons build nests underneath their solar installations for shelter and safety. This can damage the panels and your roof, which is why professional solar panel bird proofing is important.
How To Identify The Pest Species In Your Property
When you notice signs of pests, it’s important that you try to identify the species you’re dealing with to ensure you get the right support. Some tips on pest identification include:
- Try To See The Pest Yourself: While droppings and other debris are all very well and good, getting a visual sighting of the pest is the best way to identify it. This can be difficult with some vermin, as some insects are minuscule and many rodent species are shy and skilled at hiding from people.
- Get Clear Footprints: For rodent pests and wildlife, try to get clear footprints by laying down talcum powder in an area they often run across. You can then take a picture of the prints and compare them.
- Check For Parasites With Water And A Paper Towel: If you find dark brown spots in your bedding and suspect bed bugs or other parasitic pests, use a damp paper towel to pick them up. If the specks turn red on the paper, then these are most likely the faecal matter of blood sucking parasites such as bed bugs and fleas.
- Consider The Season: Many pests have specific seasons they prefer. For example, wasp nests are usually active between early spring and late summer, while rodents are more likely to come inside during the winter months. So, think about the season and work out whether now would be the right time for the pests you think you have.
- Contact Verus Environmental: If you still can’t work out what pest species you’re facing in your Bolton property, contact us. Our friendly team can help identify the species and provide fast treatment to keep your space safe.
What To Do If You Have A Pest Infestation
Finding a pest problem can be stressful. Because Bolton has a rich architectural history, filled with Tudor and Victorian buildings, there is potential for vermin to enter and cause expensive damage.
As such, you need to be proactive. When you find signs of pest activity, such as droppings, chew marks, strange smells or pest sightings, you need to contact your friendly local pest control provider.
While Bolton Council does offer some pest control services, these are limited, and you often have to wait several weeks or longer before your appointment.
That’s why homeowners and business leaders throughout Bolton and Greater Manchester trust Verus Environmental. Our friendly team aim to offer same-day services where possible, and will provide fast treatment to get rid of your pest problem. All we need is a general description, and we can then find the pests and identify the exact species you’re dealing with.
As RSPH level 2 certified pest controllers, our team have access to traps and treatments that aren’t available to the general public, which means we can safely remove pests without harming non-target species, pets or livestock. We use these solutions, alongside preventative measures, to remove your pest infestation and ensure it can’t return.
If you need pest control in Bolton and the surrounding area, contact us on 07501639257 and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help.
